Terminals of electrical equipment and ribbon-like leads

ABSTRACT

A multi-way adapter, suitable for electrical connection between the segment terminals of the electrical equipment and flexible ribbon-like leads, wherein there is provided a box-shaped body of parallelepiped configuration, consisting of plastic material, having a median cavity and one or more side cavities, disposed parallel to said cavity, the latter showing in the central portion a partition wall parallel to the axis of the cavity itself and from the ends of which depart upwardly two flexible, parallel arms, provided with a step relief, being beveled on the lower part - 7- and arranged at their outer face, said box-shaped body being further provided at the longitudinal walls of the median cavity and slots with recesses having an embossed reference portion and on which there are disposed spring elements, being shaped so as to exert a pressure in direction of the adjacent slots, said springs permitting the contact between the terminals of the ribbon-like leads and terminals of the electrical equipment, both inserted into the side slots and into those built on the sides of the two arms of the partition wall.

.United States Patent [191 Codrino Aug. 6, 1974 TERMINALS OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND RIBBON-LIKE LEADS [76] Inventor: Giuseppe Codrino, Via Slazione Quattordio, Alessandria, ltaly [22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 339,105

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S, Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT A multi-way adapter, suitable for electrical connection between the segment terminals of the electrical equipment and flexible ribbon-like leads, wherein there is provided a box-shaped body of parallelepiped configuration, consisting of plastic material, having a median cavity and one or more side cavities, disposed parallel to said cavity, the latter showing in the central portion a partition wall parallel to the axis of the cavity itself and from the ends of which depart upwardly two flexible, parallel arms, provided with a step relief, being beveled on the lower part 7- and arranged at their outer face, said box-shaped body being further provided at the longitudinal walls of the median cavity and slots with recesses having an embossed reference portion and on which there are disposed spring elements, being shaped so as to exert a pressure in direction of the adjacent slots, said springs permitting the contact between the terminals of the ribbon-like leads and terminals of the electrical equipment, both inserted into the side slots and into those built on the sides of the two arms of the partition wall.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENIEmus 6I974 smaarz TERMINALS OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND RIBBON-LIKE LEADS This invention relates to a multi-way adapter, suitable for electrical connection between the'segment terminals of an electrical equipment and flexible ribbonlike leads.

As it is well known, the use of flexible ribbon-like leads, in replacement of the traditional cylindrically shaped cables, requires the building of particular connecting devices, taking into account the new geometrical configurations of the leads themselves.

In particular, for the electrical equipment provided with segment type terminals, such, for example, as the dual filament for projectors, as used in the motor car industry, devices are required, creating a secure contact between the terminals themselves and a portion of the corresponding ribbon-like lead.

Such a result is attained according to the multi-way adapter of the present invention.

Said adapter is in fact provided with two or more slots in which may be located the end terminals of the electrical equipment. I

Within said slots there are fastened the end portions, being properly deprived of their insulation layer, of the ribbon-like leads abutting on the supply electrical circuit.

The adapter of this invention is made up so as to clamp the aforesaid end segments in their seats and to ensure a certain mechanical pressure on the contact.

These and further characteristic features of a functional and constructional nature of the multi-way adapter of this invention could be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the figures on the accompanying drawings, in which the adapter is represented in a typical and preferred, but non-limiting embodiment from for a three-output equipment, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows in a schematical from a section of the adapter according to the present invention along a vertical plane through A A given in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 represents in a schematical form a section of the adapter in FlG. 1 according to a horizontal plane through C C given in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows in a schematical form the horizontal section according to the plane through B- B in FIG. 1 of the adapter given in the preceding figures.

Referring now particularly to the numeral symbols of the various figures on the accompanying drawings, the multi-way adapter according to this invention is constituted of a box-shaped body (1) having a parallelepiped configuration, consisting of plastic material, provided with a median cavity (2).

In the central portion of said cavity (2) there is disposed a partition wall (3), parallel to the axis of the cavity itself and from the end of which depart two symmetrical arms (4) and (4'), being sufficiently flexible and consisting these, too, of plastic material.

The arms (4) and (4') extend upwardly said partition wall so as to be easily grasped and brought side-by-side, and show in a suitable position and preferably at the upper part of the cavity and on their outer face a steplike relief (5) and (5') being beveled on the lower part.

As a result of said step on the sides of the arms (4) and (4') two slots (6) and (6') are being formed, whilst a third slot (7) is formed in the box-shaped body (1),

orthogonally of the first two slots and in a median position relative to the same.

In a position adjacent said three slots there are formed the recesses (8), provided with an embossed reference portion (9).

Inside said recesses there are placed flexible foldedup springs (10), which are shaped so as to exert a certain pressure in direction of the adjacent slots (6), (6) and (7), respectively.

The aforementioned springs (10) are further provided with an overhanging portion (11), which inserts itself underneath the embossed portion (9), thereby clamping the blade (10) itself into its seat.

From the lower part there are inserted into the boxshaped body (1) along the slots (6), (6) and (7) the end portions (12) of the ribbon-like leads (13), which rest on the hollow portion of the springs (10).

Into the same slots there are inserted in contact with the portions (12) of the aforementioned leads, deprived of their-insulating layer, the terminals (14) of the electrical equipment (15).

Said terminals are provided at the step reliefs (5) and (5)v with an opening (16) into which is inserted, snapwise, the steps, when the terminals are inserted into the box-shaped body (1).

Removal of the segment terminals (14) will be obtained by operating a deflection to the inside of the two arms (4) and ('4') until full removal of the step reliefs (5) and (5') from the openings (16) of the terminals 14).

From the foregoing and from perusal of the various figures on the accompanying drawings, one may easily see the great functional character and practical application of the multi-way adapter according to the present invention.

Said multi-way adapter has been previously described and represented by way of non-limiting embodiment form of the present invention.

Obviously, several changes and modifications as to shape, dimension and construction may be introduced in the multi-way adapter of this invention upon its putting into effect, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

It is, therefore, understood that any such changes and modifications shall be deemed as falling into the protection scope of the present patent application.

I claim:

1. A multiway adapter comprising a housing having a cavity bounded by a circumferential wall, said housing including two fixedly mounted, flexible, substantially parallel, engaging members extending through said cavity and each defining a gap with said wall; a pair of flexible conductive leads extending into said gap, each intermediate one of said engaging members and said wall; a pair of spring members, each secured to said wall and located in one of said gaps and biasing a respective one of said leads towards the associated engaging member, so as to make electrical contact with a terminal inserted between said lead and the associated engaging member; and locking means on the respective engaging members for securing the inserted terminals against undesired withdrawal.

2. A multiway adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprise a projection on said engaging members adapted to be received in an associated recess portion on the respective terminal.

3. A multiway adapter as defined inclaim 1, wherein the respective terminals are each provided with an said engaging members extend beyond said circumferopening adapted to receive one of said projections with ential wall. a snap action.

4. A multiway adapter as defined in claim 3, wherein 

1. A multiway adapter comprising a housing having a cavity bounded by a circumferential wall, said housing including two fixedly mounted, flexible, substantially parallel, engaging members extending through said cavity and each defining a gap with said wall; a pair of flexible conductive leads extending into said gap, each intermediate one of said engaging members and said wall; a pair of spring members, each secured to said wall and located in one of said gaps and biasing a respective one of said leads towards the associated engaging member, so as to make electrical contact with a terminal inserted between said lead and the associated engaging member; and locking means on the respective engaging members for securing the inserted terminals against undesired withdrawal.
 2. A multiway adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprise a projection on said engaging members adapted to be received in an associated recess portion on the respective terminal.
 3. A multiway adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein said engaging members extend beyond said circumferential wall.
 4. A multiway adapter as defined in claim 3, wherein the respective terminals are each provided with an opening adapted to receive one of said projections with a snap action. 